Visual Theory 2

Tutor:

Marla Beth LAZROE

Synopsis:

Lecturer: Mgr. Beth Lazroe

Contact: beth_lazroe@ yahoo.co.uk

Class times: Thursdays 7:00-8:35 pm

Course description

This is a follow-up course to Visual Theory - although the first course is not required - and continues the exploration of the structural components or unconscious and subconscious building-blocks of visual images, how they work and how film-makers, photographers and other visual artists manipulate them in different ways to provoke specific reactions from viewers. This course concentrates mainly on design elements.

As in the first course, students are given simple practical and theoretical assignments to enable them to see the effects and dynamics of the individual elements for themselves and the option of creating an ?image sketchbook? during the semester. It is in lecture/seminar format and illustrated with photographic and cinematographic examples from both classical and contemporary image-makers.

Prerequisites:

Study Objectives:

Outline and Syllabus:

Course Learning Objectives

1. To present and build a basic working vocabulary with which to discuss the way visual images, particularly photographs, are constructed;

2. For students to be able to identify and understand the visual functions of each of these elements in terms of their desired effect or impact on viewers;

3. For students to analyse, explore and question:

-the relationships between the image-maker, viewer, subject and commissioning agent; and

-the various functions of images;

4. To consolidate the above material in the context of contemporary uses of images.

Course requirements

The course will be conducted in lecture/seminar format. Lectures follow a class textbook written by the instructor (Lazroe, Beth (1998) Photography as Visual Communication: a Curriculum. FAMU, Prague.) according to the weekly schedule. Copies may be purchased through the FAMU International office on the first floor.

Assessment will be based on (1) how well students are able to apply the material presented and discussed each week in lecture to images chosen and, for classwork assignments, written about by the students; (2) a final examination essay, to be developed related to lecture material and illustrating points and ideas with published images of students' own choice. Because (1) requires class participation, without which students will not understand the requirements for the written work for both the homework assignments and the exam, attendance is an integral part of this grade.

Initial weekly seminars will be based on homework assignments, where students will either take or submit published photographs or images of their choice, sometimes together with a short essay. Assignments are therefore required to be submitted on time. Students are expected to inform the lecturer in advance if they will be late in fulfilling an assignment (up to one week after it is due); late work will not be accepted unless this is done. Students are also expected, as a basic courtesy, to inform the lecturer in advance if they expect to be late or absent, or the absence will not be excused. A maximum of 3 excused absences is permitted; otherwise credit may not be given and/or students not allowed to take the final exam.

Mobile telephones except in emergency situations and by prior arrangement will not be tolerated in class.

Required Reading

Lazroe, Beth (1998) Photography as Visual Communication: a Curriculum. FAMU, Prague. Available in the FAMU International Office.

Recommended Reading

Berger, John (1972) Ways of Seeing. BBC and Penguin Books Ltd., London.

Bordwell, David and Thompson, Kristin (2001) Film Art, an Introduction. McGraw Hill Higher Education, International Edition.

Dowling, John; Mohammadi, Ali and Sreberny-Mohammadi, Annabelle (1995) Questioning the Media: a Critical Introduction. Sage Publications, London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi.

Hall, Stuart (1997), Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Milton Keynes: The Open University.

Fiske, John (1990) Introduction to Communications Studies. 2nd edition, Routledge, London and New York.

Hollows, Joanne and Jancovich, Mark, eds. (1995) Approaches to Popular Film.

Manchester University Press, UK.

Hayward, Susan (2000) Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts. Routledge: New York.

Hollows, Joanne; Hutchings, Peter and Jancovich, Mark, eds. (2000) The Film Studies Reader. Arnold, Hodder Headline Group, London.

Jung, Karl, ed. (1980) Man and His Symbols, 2nd ed., Picador, Pan Books Ltd., London.

Kaplan, E. Ann, ed. (1990) Psychoanalysis & Cinema. Routledge, New York and London.

Kuhn, Annette (1988) Cinema, Censorship and Sexuality. Routledge, London and New York.

Lazroe, Beth (1997) Perception, Culture, Representation and the Photographic Image. World Young Photography, Ljubljana.

Maalouf, Amin (2000) On Identity. The Harvill Press, London.

Price, Stuart (1994) Media Studies. Pitman Publishing, London.

Thompson, Kristin and Bordwell, David (2003) Film History, an Introduction. McGraw Hill Higher Education, International Edition.

Thompson, Kristin (1999) Storytelling in the New Hollywood: Understanding Classical Narrative Technique. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London.

Time-Life Books (1973) The Art of Photography.Time-Life International (Nederland).

Webster, Frank (1985) The New Photography, Responsibility in Visual Education, John Calder, Riverrun Press, London and New York.

Weekly schedule

Weeks 1+2: Course overview and Revision of Aesthetics.

Elements of Visual Meaning: Aesthetic Variables : Scale and Space

cf. Lazroe, Photography as Visual Communication, Chapter 5.

Assignment.

Week 3 - Elements of Visual Meaning: Composition structures and Introduction to Design Variables

Seminar based on assignment.

cf. Lazroe, ibid and Introduction to Unit II

Weeks 4, 5 and 6 - Elements of Visual Meaning: Design Variables : Balance

cf. Lazroe, ibid, Chapter 6.

Assignment.

Week 7 - Elements of Visual Meaning: Dominance. Relationship between Dominance and Balance

Seminar based on assignment.

cf. Lazroe, ibid, Chapter 7.

Week 8 - Elements of Visual Meaning: Proportion

cf. Lazroe, ibid.

Assignment.

Weeks 9, 10 and 11 - Elements of Visual Meaning: Perspective

cf. Lazroe, ibid, Chapter 8.

Week 12: Final examination worksheet distributed.

Students select images and research the material at home.

Elements of Visual Meaning: Rhythm

cf. Lazroe, ibid, Chapter 7.

Week 13: Final examination:

Students will write the examination in class.

Note: The timing of the above may vary according to students' absorption of/interest in the material. It may be that certain aspects may be expanded and others reduced. Films shown may also vary according to these parameters.

Examinations: Please refer to weeks 12+13, above.

Assessment and final grade

The course grade will be calculated as follows:

- Attendance - 10%

- classwork assignments/class participation - 45%

- final examination - 45%

Study materials:

Note:

Schedule for winter semester 2008/2009:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2008/2009:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Fotografie EN - bakalář (optional subject)
• Fotografie EN - magistr (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Cinematography (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Directing (optional subject)